Her Eyes

Chapter 26: GOODBYES

Over the past month or so, the town was slowly rebuilding itself. The DEA had come and burned down the fields, arrested some people—Alex was falling apart, though he knew this was the right thing to do. He knew the people of the town would be pissed at him and it sure wouldn't look good with the sheriff's election coming up, but he needed this—the town needed this. White Pine Bay would never be the same and Alex knew that. It was time to say goodbye.

"It's always beautiful to watch it burn," the guy from the DEA stated gazing off into the field. This was the last one, then all this mess would be over…for good. Alex sighed a bit, observing the small fire ahead of them. The guy turned to face him. "What was that total?"

"Twenty seven," he mumbled through thin lips.

"Twenty seven fields burned down, twenty three arrests. Town's free of this trash now. You should be a happy man." The man smiled at him before walking off. He should have been relieved, but he wasn't. All he could think about was all the crap he was gonna get for this. He ground his teeth together. He needed a break.

He headed over to the diner down by the docks. After he had his usual cup of coffee, he spotted Dylan on his way out. He climbed into the booth across from him, not caring if he wanted the company or not—they needed to talk. They hadn't seen each other since the night at Jodi Morgan's house. "Whatcha got there?" he asked, glancing down at the papers the kid was fumbling with.

He hesitated for a moment as if he was surprised to see him…or that he cared enough to ask. "Plans for a barn."

"For the motel?" The sheriff gave him a funny look.

"No, some place else." He handed the papers over to Alex, who inspected them. "You joining me for lunch?"

He quickly handed him back the papers. He didn't like to get too close to people. "No. It's just a quick drop by. I thought we could continue our conversation about the future of things around here. I'm gonna have to take a more active role—"

"Sheriff," he cut him off. He was a bit tentative. "I think I've had my fill of what it's like to work in the drug business. As a boss I mean." He softened his voice. "I just wanna have my own little farm and be legal about it. Help people out who have glaucoma and anxiety." Alex loosened up. He really was a good kid. "Just make enough to get by. That's good enough for me. Ninety-nine plants legally with a permit."

The sheriff was happy for the kid, though it angered him that he'd made such a decision without consulting him. "I protected you. I went out of my way to protect you—"

"I know. I really appreciate that. I do." And he meant it. Alex knew that.

He hated not being in control of things, but he knew this was right for the kid. "We're not working together. I can't protect you anymore. You know that right?" He studied him for a moment. He wanted to help him, but couldn't—he was smart enough to handle things himself. "You'll be on your own."

Dylan gave him a confused look. "Yeah, but what I'm doing is legal so that shouldn't be a problem, right?" Worry was playing on his face.

"Shouldn't be. Doesn't mean it won't," the sheriff warned. He got up from the booth. He didn't want to stay too long. "All right. I'll see you around."

After a long day of paperwork, Alex headed over to the bar near the motel. It was packed since it was a Friday night. Alex was drinking his usual glass of scotch when two men approached each side of him.

"Sheriff, off duty, huh?" the one man said, pressing his elbows into the countertop.

He knew something was up. Shit always happened when he goes to bars. "What can I do for you?" He looked at the man grimly.

The man stared straight ahead. "We both just lost our jobs. You know, with the DEA coming over here and burning up the fields." It was a clear dig.

Alex huffed. "Yeah. Well at least you're not in jail." He downed what was left of his scotch, placing the glass in front of him.

"That supposed to be funny?" the other guy piped up.

"My understanding was that you were supposed to be protecting us," the first man cut in.

The only people Alex would go out of his way to protect were the Bates' and himself, as far as he knew. "All right. Let me get this straight. You both worked in the drug business and now you're shocked that the DEA showed up." He looked over at both of the men. They were pathetic.

"You screwed up—you screwed it up for everyone," the man stressed. Alex tensed up. He could feel himself losing control. "I hope they butt your ass outta town."

"I wish you weren't a cop," the other one spat.

Alex glared at him. "If I weren't a cop, what?" The anger was radiating off his skin. His adrenaline started to kick in.

"I'd kick your ass." Alex slammed the man's head into the counter. He'd lost control. He looked over at the other guy's frightened expression, a slight smirk forming on his face. He opened up his wallet, grabbing a couple of bills and placing them on the table. As he left the bar, everyone's eyes were glued to him—his actions shocked them. He climbed into his car and headed back to the motel…he had packing to do.

He had put a speed rush on building his new home since he started staying at the motel—or more correctly after he saw Norma changing in front the window. He needed some distance from her. He knew that she wasn't seeing that guy anymore…he hadn't seen him around. He was afraid to get close to her—to anyone really. Getting close people meant there was a chance he might lose them, and he didn't want to risk that with Norma. In the morning, he began packing up the SUV, a frown forming on his face as his placed the last box in the car. As he stuffed the last of his shirts in the back, he heard a door shut and the familiar sound of heels clicking down the porch. "Norma!" He watched as she turned around stunned by the loudness of his voice. He shut the trunk and sauntered over to her.

"You're leaving?" The sadness in her voice broke his heart.

He didn't know what to say at first. He wanted their goodbye to be perfect; though it didn't matter he'd surely seen her again soon. "Yeah. The house is finally ready." He looked back at the boxes filling the back of his car. "It's amazing the stuff you can accumulate in a motel room over three months." He set his gaze back to her before reaching into his pocket and awkwardly handing her back the key to room 11. "Here." She frowned when the key hit her palm. He grabbed a check from his pocket. "And this is for all the time I spent here."

Then they fought briefly—both repeating no over and over as if seeing who could say it faster. "You're a family friend. I am not taking your money."

He loved that he was her friend…that she felt comfortable enough to admit it, but she wasn't going to win this one. "The bypass is half paid and they are starting cars on the finished part tomorrow. You're gonna need it. I'm not taking no for an answer."

She took the check with a sigh, glancing down at it before looking back up at him. "Thank you." Her eyes were warm and light, they made his heart ache.

He needed to leave now or else he'd never leave. "All right. Well, goodbye. Thank you…for everything." He wanted to tell her how much she meant to him—how much he needed her, but he wasn't that kinda guy. He was reserved. He had to be. The sound of the rain filled him.

"Sure…sure." He tried to leave, but her voice stopped him. "So I guess I'll see you around." She laughed awkwardly.

Making him chuckle nervously. And then it happened. He couldn't stop himself. He eyed her up and down a little unsure, but he went for a hug, quickly retreating his arms to his side. So she went for a handshake, which he was going for but he really wanted a hug. He stepped closer with his arms out. He waited till she wrapped her arms around him to place her arms on her. She dug her face deeper into his neck—the feeling twisting his insides, yet pleasantly surprising him. It scared him at first. He wasn't sure what he was feeling, but soon enough he found himself tightening his hold on her. They turned their faces toward each other at the same time, creating an extremely awkward—extremely frightening moment for Alex. He could tell she was panicked as well. She kissed his cheek a couple of times to relieve the moment until he finally released her. "Bye," he said quickly before walking to the driver's side of the SUV and climbing in. He started the engine and began to drive off until he spotted her run out in front of the car. She walked over to the open window, a clear uncertainty on her face. He stared back at her—afraid of what was coming. The radio buzzed, but he shut it off and turned back to her…this was more important.

"I just wanted to tell you." She was hesitant to look him in the eye, and when she did he felt his insides burst. She was looking for the right thing to say. "I always felt…safe when you were here."

He knew what she meant to say. He was feeling the same way, but he was too afraid to admit it. "Thank you, Norma." He gave her one last smile before driving off. He couldn't stay any longer, if he had—he'd have never left.